Veggie Table for May

Well, fingers crossed, I hope that wasn’t our summer, though if previous years are anything to go by it might well have been. But anyway, forge on.

Remember to water your sown seeds, so they have a chance to germinate, but not your potatoes until they start to flower, which is when the tubers are starting to develop. Sow parsnips now, two or three seeds at 150mm spacing or 75mm for smaller varieties like Avonresister, into ground which has not been freshly manured. Thin to one at each station.

Onion and shallot sets can also go in now at 100mm spacing. Make sure the soil is firm so they have something to push against. Push them in so the tips are just showing and be prepared to push them back in again if the birds pull them out to try and use them as nesting material. I find the results from sets much better here than from seed, due to the short growing season. Ailsa Craig is a well-named old favourite , but you could also try Sturon or Red Baron, both of which are slow to bolt and store well.

Later this month sweet corn can be started off. I have found the results tend to be disappointing unless you can grow them undercover, but well worth it if you can. First of All might be the best variety to grow here, though I still rate Kelvedon Glory. Summer, winter and red cabbage can be started now, and also kale, either in situ or in pots and for transplanting later.